Push-button tuning control



A. P. OLESKY PUSH BUTTON TUNING ONTROL `mmh 30,1948.

Filed sept. 20', .1944

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Patented Mar. 30, 1948 rusa-BUTTON TUNING con'rnox.

Anthony P. Olesky, Chicago, Ill., assigner, by e mesne assignments, toBelmont Radio Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of IllinoisApplication September 20, 1944, Serial No. 554,935

21 Claims. (Cl. 74-10) The present invention relates to controlapparatus and more particularly to improved control apparatus forselectively tuning a radio receiver to desired signal channels.Specifically, the present invention relates to improvements in controlapparatus of the character disclosed in copending application Serial No.532,443, flied April 24, 1944, Alexander W. Plensler, and assigned tothe same assignee as the present invention. This application issued asPatent No. 2,413,515 on December 31, 1946.

Various push button actuated mechanically controlled devices arecommercially available for selectively actuating the tuning elements ofa radio receiver to settings corresponding to particular desiredtransmitting stations. The usual device of this character employs arotatable tuning or control shaft having a plurality of heart-shapedstation selector cams or control elements spaced axially therealong,which are adapted to be engaged by cam rollers rotatably carried bymovable push button actuated manuals arranged transversely of the tuningshaft; the arrangement being such that when any manual is actuated, theyassociated cam roller and control element are engaged to move thetuning shaft to a setting corresponding to a predetermined signalchannel. In at least one commercial version of this device, facilitiesincluding a manually operable actuating element in the form of a secondshaft extending normal to the tuning shaft through the front wall of thereceiver, are provided at one end of the tuning shaft for the purpose ofmanually rotating the tuning shaft to station receiving settings otherthan those to which the tuning shaft may be operated by the manuals, andfor the additional purpose of releasably exerting a restraining forceupon the control elements in a direction axially of the tuning shaft topermit adjustment of each control element relative to the tuning shaft.

In general, it is an object of the present invention to provide incontrol apparatus of the character described, an improved, simple cheaprugged and reliable device including a common manually operableactuating element, for releasably locking the control elements againstrotation relative to the control shaft upon which they are mounted andfor selectively actuating the shaft to any desired setting within apredetermined range of rotation.

According to another object of the invention, the improved controlelement locking and shaft actuating device is so arranged that eachaxial movement of the manually operable actuating element is used eitherto clamp or unclamp the control elements, thereby to prevent or permitadjustment ,of the elements relative to the control shaft, withoutinterrupting the driving connection betweenl the actuated element andthe control shaft.

It is another object of the invention to provide an improvedandexceedingly simple arrangement for maintaining a driving connectionbetween the manually operable actuating element and the control shaft atall axial settings of the actuating element within its range of axialmovement, without in any way interfering with movement of the actuatingelement between its two extreme axial settings.

In accordance with a further object of the invention, a compressionspring carried by the control shaft is provided in the device fornormally restraining the control elements against movement relative tothe control shaft, and an improved lever and cam mechanism controlled byaxial movement of the actuating element is provided for actuating thisspring to either restrain the control elements against movement relativeto the control shaft or release these elements for rotation relative tothis shaft.

According to a further and more speclc object ofthe invention, the levercamming facilities are provided with an exceedingly simple over-centerarrangement for positively restraining the manually operable actuatingelement in either of the two extreme axial settings thereof to which itmay be moved.

It is another and more general object of th invention to provide amechanism of the character described having embodied therein a minimumnumber of low cost parts which are capable of easy assembly.

The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation,together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best-beunderstood by reference to the specification taken in connectionv` withthe accompanying drawings, in which: v

Fig. 1 is a side view illustrating improved tuning control apparatuscharacterized by the-features of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an end view illustrating the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 asviewed from the left lend thereof;

Fig. 3 is an end view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 as viewed fromthe right end thereof;

Fig. 4 is a. rear view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1; 4

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along the lines -5 of Fig. 4,illustrating one of the control elements and the actuating mechanismtherefor;

Fig. 6 is a duplication of Fig. 5 illustrating the parts in changedpositions;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary. end view, partially in section, illustratingthe device for manually adjusting the control or tuning shaft and forreleasably "looking the control elements of the apparatus againstrotation relative to this shaft;-

Fig. 8 is a full sectional top view of the parts shown in Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken along the lines Fig. 10 is afragmentary sectional view taken along the lines Ill-I0 in Fig. 8;

Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken along the lines II-II in Fig. 8: and

Fig. 12 is a substantial duplication of Fig. 8 with .the illustratedparts shown in changed positions.

Referring now to the drawings, the present improved control apparatus isthere illustrated in its embodiment in a radio receiver to adjust thegang-connected frequency changing elements of the receiver for thepurpose of tuning the receiver to diiferent signal channels, i. e., forthe reception ofsignals radiated at different carrier frequencies. Morespecically, the frequency changing means of the receiver comprises amultiple condenser unit I0 supported between two L-shaped bracket piecesI5 and I6 which are rigidly mounted upon the receiver chassis indicatedgenerally at I4. The condenser unit is provided with a rotatable shaftII which carries the rotor plates of the condensers and maybe rotatedthrough .180 in covering the full tuning range of the receiver. It isjournaled in bearing openv ings through the end members I5 and I6, and

also in bearing apertures provided in two spaced apart supportingmembers I2 and I3 iixedly mounted upon the top wall of the chassis I4.The tuning condensers may be electrically included in the receivercircuit in any conventional manner.

For the purpose of selectively actuating the control or tuning selectorelements 22 in the form of heart-shaped cams. These cams are is notedthat this means comprises an elongated channel-shaped member extendinglongitudinally of the shaft II and having its channelshaped wallsdisposed within the voids formed at the upper ends of the supportingmembers I2 and I3 by bending the parts I2a and I3a outwardly therefrom;these parts extending normal to the supporting members and being rivetedto the bottom Wall of the member 20 to securely anchor this member inplace. rThe channel-shaped member 20 is also provided with side flangeswhich serve to seat a translucent member 2|. This member is suitablyapertured to receive lugs 20a struck upwardly from the side flanges ofthe member 20 and bent over the top surface of the member 2|,therebyflxedly to assemble the two members 20 and 2I together.Preferably, the translucent member 2I is painted or etched at the undersurface thereof to outline an elongated rectangular surface segment 2Ia.which is left clear to function as a viewing window. At the uppersurface thereof and immediately opposite one edge of the window 2I a,the member 2I is suitably inscribed with numerals indicating carrierfrequencies in kilocycles or with station call letters.

As best shown in Figs. :5 and 6 of the drawings, the levers 24 arespring biased by means of 'springs 26 individual thereto to normalpositions such that the rollers 23 rotatably mounted thereon are out ofengagement with the respective associated selector cams 24. Thus thelever 24a is illustrated as being biased to a normal position whereinthe roller 23a pivotally sup'v ported thereby is wholly out of the pathof re- -tation of the cam 22a. The means for thus biasf ing sleeve 3|and having one end anchored to mounted upon the shaft II in spaced apartpositions axially of this shaft and are normally Opposite the controlelements are shaft or pivot rod 30 is supported at its ends by thesupporting members I2 and I3, and carries spacing sleeves 3|intermediate the levers 24 for the purpose of maintaining the rollers 23spaced apart in transverse alignment with their respective associatedcams 22.

The members I2 and I3 are also utilized to support the novel tuningindicator means embodied in the apparatus and described withparticularity hereinafter. This indicator means is claimed in divisionalapplication Serial No. 554,-

890, filed September 20, 1944. At this Point, it

the nose 28a of the lever and its opposite end restrained againstunwinding movement through engagement with the bottom wallof thechannel-shaped member 20. The indicated channelshaped member is sopositioned longitudinally of the shaft II as to act as a stop againstwhich the noses 28 of the levers 24 are normally biased. To this end,the side Wall 20h of the member 20 is positioned in the paths ofrotation of the levers to be engaged by the noses thereof.

, Referring now more particularly to the manner in which the selectorcams 22 are normally restrained against rotary movement relative to theshaft II, it will be noted by reference to Fig. 4 of the drawings thatthese cams are separated by spacing sleeves -32 carried by the shaft II, and by friction washers 33 against which the ends of the sleeves 32abut. More specifically, the shaft II carries a pair of set screwmounted collars I1 and I8 which are disposed upon opposite sides of thesupporting member I2 and function to restrain the shaft against axialmovement. The collar I8 is also used as a thrust member against whichthe selector cams 22, spacing sleeves 32 and washers 33 may be clampedfor the purpose of frictionally locking the selector cams againstrotation relative to the shaft Il. In order to restrain the washers 33against rotation relative to the shaft II, this shaft is provided withdiametrically opposed flats Ila and IIb over the length thereof whichextends from the collar I8 to the end farthest removed from the tuningcondensers I0, and each washer is similarly provided withcorrespondingly atted edges in the central aperture through which theshaft II extends. The washers 33 are also utilized to limit the extentof rotation of their respective associated selector cams 22 relative tothe shaft II. To this end, each washer is provided with a portion 36 ofreduced diameter terminating in stop steps 31 against which a lug 38struck out from the associated cam 22 is brought to bear at each limitof the range of rotation of the cam relative to the shaft. In theillustrated arrangement, each washer edge 36 of reduced diameter issufiiciently long to permit the associated cam 22 to be rotated througha maximum angle of 180 relative to the shaft Il. In order to enhance thefrictional restraining force exerted upon the selector cams 22. theclamping faces of the washers 36 are stippled or roughened and smallsandpaper discs are inserted between the washers 36 and the adjacentfaces of the` respective associated cams 22 with the sanded surfaces ofthe discs bearing against the selector cams.

For the purpose of exerting a clamping thrust axially upon the stackedparts 22, 32 and 33, and the sandpaper ldiscs separating the washers 33from the cams -22, thereby normally to maintain the cams 22 lockedagainst rotary movement relative to the shaft II, the present improvedcam locking and manual tuning device, indicated generally at 40, isprovided. In brief, this mechanism comprises a manual actuating shaft 4Iwhich extends normal to the tuning shaft Il through the front wall ofthe receiver, is connected to drive the shaft II through a pinion 43 andcrown gear segment 44 and carries a tuning knob 42. The shaft 4I isjournaled for rotary and axial movement in a pair of bracket pieces 60and 6I struck out from the supporting member I3, and may be movedaxially away from the shaft I I through the pinion 43 without breakingthe driving connection between the two shafts- II and 4I. The mechanismalso comprises a thrust spring of the compression type which normallyexerts a thrust axially of the shaft I I upon the stacked parts 22. 32and 33. It further includes a cam and lever mechanism operative inresponse to axial movement of the shaft 4I outwardly away from the shaftI I for compressing the thrust spring to the extent required to releasethe selector cams 22 for rotation relative to the shaft II. Movement ofthe manual tuning shaft 4I axially in the reverse direction, i. e.,toward the tuning shaft I I serves to relieve the tension upon thecompression spring, with the result that the thrust pressure is againimpressed upon stacked elements 22, 32 and 33 to again lock theseelements against rotation relative to the shaft II.

More specifically, the compression spring 5I is confined within twocup-shaped members 52 and 53, the bottom walls 52a and 53a of which areapertured to fit over the two end sleeves 32al and 32c carried by theshaft II. The sleeve 32a is provided with a radially extending rib 32hagainst which the bottom wall 52a of the member 52 abuis, and the bottomwall 53a of the opposed cupshaped member 53 bears against a C-washer 49which is seated in an annular seat 50 cut in the shaft I I adjacent theend thereof. Thus the cnil springy 5I in thrusting against the C-washer49 and the end sleeve 32a serves to exert an axiallv directed thrustagainst the stacked elements 22. 32 and 33, which normally prevents theselector cams 22 from rotating relative to the shaft II.

Ase best shown in Figs. 8 and 12 of the drawings, the cup-shapedmembers-52 and 53 are nested or telescoped one within the other and areprovided with spaced apart flanges 52h and 53h extending radially' fromthe shaft I I which the shaft II and are commonly supported for rotationabout the same center by means of a pivot pin 51 carried by a bracketpiece 59 struck out from the end frame member I3. The lever `54comprises upper and lower parts 54a and 54h joined at the ends remotefrom the pivot pin 51 by means of an end part 54e. Similarly, the lever55 comprises upper and lower parts 55a and 55h tting within thecorresponding parts of the lever 54 and joined at the free ends thereofby an end part 55e. 'I'he pivoted ends of the identified lever parts aremaintained in spaced apart relationship by means of two spacing sleeves58 disposed upon opposite sides of the bracket 59 and carried by thepivot pin 51. Intermediate the ends thereof, the lever parts 54a and 54hare respectively provided with rounded projections 54e which are adaptedto be brought into engagement with the flange 52h of the cup-shapedmember 52 upon opposite sides of theshaft II. Similarly, the lever parts55a and 55h are respectively provided with rounded projections 55e whichare adapted to be brought into bearing engagement with the flange 53h ofthe cupshaped member 53 above and below the shaft I I. As best shown inFigs. 9 and l1 of the drawings, the ends of the levers 54 and 55 remotefrom the pivot pin 51 are crossed so that when these ends are movedapart the projections 54e and 55e are moved toward each other intobearing engagement with the flanges 52b and 53h thereby tol For thepurpose of movcompress the spring 5 I. ing the closed end parts 54e and55e of the two levers apart, a camming arrangement is provided whichincludes camming parts 54d and 55d formed integral with the end parts54e and 55e to extend toward the shaft II. These camming parts areflared away from each other and are normally engaged by a camming ballor spherical camming part 56 flxedly mounted upon the inner end of theshaft 4I, so that when this shalt is pulled away from the shaft II theends of the levers are moved apart to compress the spring 5I in themanner more fully explained below.

As indicated above the shaft 4I is also utilized to rotate the shaft IIfor the purpose of tuning the receiver to stations other than those towhich the manuals 25 individually correspond. To this end, a drivingconnection comprising the pinion 43 carried by the shaft 4I and themeshing crown gear sector 44 carried by the shaft II is provided betweenthe two identified shafts.'

More specifically, the gear sector 44 is xedly mounted upon the end ofthe shaft II by means of a clamping assembly which includes a washer 45abutting the C-washer 49 and against which one side of the gear sectorbears, a second washer 46 bearing against the opposite side of the gearsector. and a clamping cup 41 fitting over the end of the shaft.Clamping pressure is exerted upon the stacked parts 45, 44, 46, 41 bymeans of a clamping screw 48 extending through the apertured bottom wallof the cup 41 and threaded into' the end of the shaft II. In order topermit axial movement of the shaft 4Iy without breaking the drivingconnection between this shaft and the tuning shaft II, the pinion 43 isfreely movable axially of the shaft 4I but is locked against rotationrelative to this shaft. To provide this form of connection between thetwo parts 4I A'l and 43, the shaft 4| is' provided with a atted portion4|a, and the hub -part 43a of the pinion asis .provided with a. naifcircie S101-, 43h within which is disposed .a f wire-like lockingelement 62. More specifically, this element tightly embraces theiattedsurface 4|a of the shaft 4| and the unslotted circumference of thepinion hub 43h to lock the two parts 4| and 43 againstrelative rotarymovement while permitting relative axial movementA therebetween. Thepinion 43 is restrained against movement in a direction axially of theshaft 4| by positioning the same between the bracket parts 60 and 6| inwhich the shaft 4I is journaled, thus maintaining .this pinion inmeshing engagement with the crown gear sector 44 regardless of the axialposition to which the shaft 4| is moved.

In order to maintain a' slight clamping pressure upon the selector cams22 when the spring 5| is compressed to release Athese cams foradjustment relative to the shaft I, a dished spring washer 34 isprovided' between the two washers 33a and 33h which are disposed betweenthe end of the end sleeve 32a and the cam 22a. 'Ihis spring washer hasthe function of restraining the cams 22 against rotation relative to theshaft li except when a, positive force is applied to one of the cams toproduce such relative rotation in the manner described below. To providefor adjustment of the clamping force normally exerted axially upon thecams 22 by the compres-A the assembly of a particular device iscompleted,

the sleeve part 9a may be threaded out of the sleeve part 9b to compressthe spring tilv until the cams 22 are positively clamped againstrotation relative to the shaft |I. From the above explanation it will beunderstood that normally the selector cams 22 are locked againstrotation relative to the ,shaft Il and that these cams occupy diiferentangular positions relative to the shaft such that the tuning condensersI may be operated to signal channel settings respectively correspondingto the different selector elements through the selective manipulation ofthe manuals 25. If, for

example, it is desired to tune the receiver for the reception of theparticular signal corresponding to the manual 25a, the push button ofthis manual is pushed downwardly from the position illustrated in Fig.of the drawings to the position illustrated in Fig. 6 of the drawings.During the resulting pivotal movement of the lever 24a,

the roller 23a is brought into engagement with the periphery of theselector cam 22a, following which the two engaged parts 23a and 22acoact to rotate the tuning shaft I to the particular angular .settingcorresponding to the desired signal channel. This tuning position of theshaft is reached when the roller 23a is moved to engage the low point ofthe cam 22a. After it is reached, the manual 25a may be released toreturn to its normal position under the inuence of the -biasing spring26a. In a manner entirely similar to that just described, the other pushbutton l manuals 25 may be selectively actuated for the purpose ofselectively tuning the receiver forthe reception of the other signals towhich thesemanuals respectively correspond. Tuning of the receiver to asignal within the'signal reception band of the receiver, but notcorresponding to one of the push button manuals 25, is accomplishedthrough manual actuation of the knob 42 to rotate the shaft 4| and thusrotate the tuning shaft through the driving connection afforded by thepinion 43 and the gear sector 44.

lAs previously indicated, in order to adjust the Aangular settings ofthe selector cams 22 relative sure exerted axially of the shaft upon thecams is partially released. To this end, the knob 42 and shaft 4| arepulled outwardly from the front wall of the receiver, thereby to movethe spheriother. As a result, the projections 54e and 55e are brought tobear against the flanges B2b and 53h to squeeze these flanges togetherand thus compress the coil spring 5|, thereby to relieve the clampingforce exerted axially upon the selector vcams 22. This force is notwholly relieved, however, due to the action of 'the spring washer 34 inexerting an axial thrust upon the cams through the Washers 33a and 33b.As the spherical camming part 55 isA moved away from the shaft it passesout of eng-agement with the lever camming parts 55d and 54d over theridgelike surfaces 54g and 55g. and into engagement with the innersurfaces 54f and 55f of the lever end parts 55e and 54e. Due to thespreading apart of the lever end parts, the normally parallel surfaces54f and 55f thereof tend to become flared away from each other in adirection which is the reverse of the direction of are between thecamming parts 55d and 54d. In other words a wedging action is producedbetween the engaged surfaces of the parts 56, 54e and 55e which has theeffect of resisting axial movement of the `shaft 4| back toward theshaft Il. Thus an over y new angular position relative to the shaft sothat it will coact with the manual 25a to tune the receiver for thereception of a different desired signal. To this end, the knob 42, shaft4I and driving parts 43 and 44 are rst operated manually to tune thereceiver to the desired signal frequency. With the desired signal beingreceived, the knob-42 is manually held against further rotation and themanual 25a is actuated for the purpose of rotating the selector cam 22aDuring such' in the manner justl described. In other words, the spring34 prevents the desired angul-ar settings -of the cams relative to theshaft II from being disturbed when once established.

After all of the control elements have been adjusted in the manner justexplained they may be reclamped against movement relative to the shaft II by pushing upon the knob 42 to move the spherical camming part 56 frombetweenv the lever end parts 54e and 55e back toward the shaft I I.After the camming part 56 is moved to again engage the lever cammingparts 54d and 55d, the coil spring I in thrusting against the cupshapedmembers 52 and 53 acts through the levers and their camming parts 54dand 55d to facilitate return movement of the camming part 56 and theshaft 4I to the normal positions thereof. Also, in expanding against thebottom walls of the cup-shaped members 52 and 53 the coil spring 5Iagain thrusts against the selector cams 22 to restrain these camsagainst rotation relative to the shaft I I.

From the above explanation, it will be understood that the selector camclamping mechanism may be actuated at will to release the cams 22 foradjustment to any desired angular positions relative to the shaft I Iand to reclamp the cams in the positions to which they are adjusted. Itwill also beV understood that this is accomplished by utilizing axialmovement of the manually operable shaft 4I to effect relative movementbetween the levers 54 and 55 in a direction extending axially of theshaft II. Further, the arrangement is such that the driving connectionbetween the two shafts 4I and II is not broken regardless of the axialsetting occupied by the shaft 4I. In this regard it is noted thatnormally the lever projections 54e and 55e only lightly engage theflanges 5.2b and 53h so that rotation of the shafts 4I and II is in noway impeded by such engagement. Also, when the spring 5I is compressedto release the selector cams 22 for adjustment relative to the shaft II, the assembly comprising the parts 32a, 32e, 52, 53 and 5I iseffectively locked against rotation through engagement of the leverprojections 54e and 55e with the flanges 52h and 53h. Under thesecircumstances, however, the shaft I I is free to turn within the sleeves32a and 32C so that rotation of the shaft II is only slightly impeded.

Referring now more particularly tothe apparatus which is provided toindicate the station to which the receiver is tuned, it is pointed outabove that this apparatus comprises the translucent member 2I carried bythe channel-shaped member 20, which two parts are lxedly supported bythe supporting members I2 and I3. This apparatus further comprisestranslatable indicating means in the form of a pointer 65 which islinearly movable back and forth longitudinally of the two members 2n and2| to settings indicative of the carrier frequency to which the receiveris tuned. More specifically, this pointer is in the form of a wire-likeelement having an indicated leg 65a disposed within the channel of themember and extending transversely across the indicating window 2Ia, anda second leg 65h which extends normal to the leg 65a through a narrowguide slot 20c extending longitudinally of the bottom wall of thechannel-shaped member 20 to engage the helical camming surface of arotatable camming member 61. For the purpose of translating the pointer65 along the slot 20c, a driving connection is provided between theshaft II and this pointer which includes a gear segment I9 formedtherebetween.

l0 xedly mounted upon the collar I1. 'This gear segment meshes with asmall gear 1I which is connected to drive the camming member 61 througha drive pin 10 which is journaled in a bearing part carried by the framemember I2 and is anchored within the right end of the tubular cammingmember 61. The gear segment I6 and pinion 1I are stamped parts formedfrom thin gauge stock, and in order to maintain the same in meshingengagement, dished fender discs 12 and 13 are provided upon oppositesides of the pinion 1I `to embrace the peripheral segment of .the gearI9 which meshes with the pinion 1I.

More specifically considered, the camming member 61 is in the form of aflat-wound metal strip, the'edges of which are displaced so that ahelical camming groove 66 of only slightly greater width thanV thediameter of the pointer 65 is Thus the edges of the stripI act ashelical camming surfaces. The leg 65h of the pointer 65 extends throughthe groove 20c to slidably engage the helical camming surfaces, and isanchored to an elongated travelling element 66 which is disposed withinthe tubular camming member 61 and is slidable longitudinally of thismember as the pointer 65 is translated through engagement oi.' the leg65h with the camming surfaces. As best shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings,the travelingelement 66 is inthe form of a rod segment and is slottedlongitudinally along one side toreceive the end portion 65e of thepointer. This end portion of the pointer extends normaito the pointerleg 65h and may be soldered or otherwise bonded to the travellingelement 66 within the slot in which it is disposed to provide a rigidconnection therebetween. As indicated above, the means for rotatablysupporting the camming member 61 includes the pin 10 j ournaled in thebearing part carried by the frame member I2. It also includes a pin 69journaled in the frame member I3-andrfixedly connected to the left endof the member 61.

As shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, the gear segment I9 not onlyfunctions to drive the camming member 61, but is also utilized to limitthe angle of rotation ofthe shaft II. To this end, the frame member I2is provided with a struck out stop part I2b disposed in the path ofrotation of the gear segment I9 to be engaged by the straight edgeportions of this gear segment when the shaft is rotated to the limits ofits range of rotation.

Referring now more particularly to the operation of the improvedindicating apparatus,l it will be understood that when the tuning shaftII is rotated, either through actuation of the knob 42 or one of themanuals 25, the camming member 61 is rotated in a correspondingdirection through the driving connection airorded by the meshingengaglement of the gear segment I 9 Withthe pinion 1 rotating with thecamming element 61 through engagement of the leg 65h with the edges ofthe guide slot 20c, the rotary movement of the camming member isconverted into translatory movement of the pointer, due to the followingmovement of the leg 6527 along the helical cam groove 68. Translatorymovement of the pointer 65 is obviously accompanied by sliding movementof the travelling element 66 within the tubular camming member 61. Theextnt' of pointer movement per unit angle of rotation of the shaft IIis, of course, determined by the pitch of the helical groove 68 and thetooth ratio between the gears I6 and 1I. In the illustrated arrange-Since the pointer 65 is prevented from 11 ment,y these factors are soydetermined that the pointer 85 will move over the full scale range inresponse to rotation of the tuning shaft Il through an angle of 180.Further, the spacing of the scale indicia provided along the upper edgeof the viewing window 21a is accurately calibrated so that the pointer65 in indexing any scale marking provides an accurate 'indication of thesignal channel to which the receiver is tuned. Thus an exceedinglysimple, ruggedand cheap structure is provided for accurately inrange inresponse to rotation of said manually operable element, and meansresponsive to axial movement of said manually operable element forrelieving the restraining force exerted by said spring means upon saidselector-elements, thereby to release said selector elements formovement relative to said shaft, without breaking the dicating theparticular station to which the receiver is tuned. 0n this point, it isnoted that the use of guide rails or other extraneous supporting membersfor the translatable pointer 65 is rendered unnecessary by utilizing thecamming member 61 as substantially the sole means of support for thepointer. Further, the elongated construction of the travelling element66 positively precludes any tendency of the pointer to twist about theaxis of the pointer part 65h and insures non-binding sliding movement ofthis element through the cam member 61.

While there has been described what is at present considered to be thepreferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood thatvarious modifications may be made therein which are within the truespirit and scope of the inlvention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In radio tuning apparatus which includes a tuning shaft rotatablethrough a desired tuning range and a plurality of tuning selectorelements carriedby said shaft; spring means normally restraining said`selector elements against movement relative to said shaft, a manuallyoperable element, means supporting said element for movement in twodirections, means for rotatingsaid shaft to any setting within saidrange in response to a corresponding movement of said manually operableelement in one of said two directions, and means responsive to movementof said manually operable element in the other of said two directionsfor relieving the restraining force exerted by'said spring means uponsaid selector elements, thereby to release said selector elements formovement relative to said shaft.

2. In radio tuning apparatus which includes a tuning shaft rotatablethrough a desired tuning range and a plurality of tuning selectorelements carried by said shaft; spring means normally restraining saidselector elements against movement relative to said shaft, a manuallyoperable element, means supportingv said element for rotary and axialmovement, means responsive to rotation of said manually operable elementfor correspondingly rotating said shaft to dinerent settings within saidtuning range, and means responsive to axial movement of said manuallyoperable element for relieving the restraining force exerted by saidspring means upon said selector elements, thereby to release saidselector elements for movement relative to said shaft.

3. In radio tuning apparatus which includes a tuning shaft rotatablethrough a desired tuning range and a plurality of tuning selectorelements carried by said shaft; spring means normally restraining saidselector elements against movement relative to said shaft, a manuallyoperable element, means supporting said element for rotary and axialmovement, means interconnecting said shaft and said manually operableelement to provide a driving connection for rotating said shafttodierent settings within said tuning shaft rotatable through a desiredtuning range and a plurality of tuning selector elements carried by saidshaft, a second shaft, a pinion carried by said second shaft, meansrestraining said pinion and second shaft against relative rotarymovement while permitting relative axial movement therebetween, meanssupporting said second shaft for rotary and axial movement, said pinionbeing restrained 'against axial movement during axial movement of saidsecond shaft, gear means interconnecting said pinion and said tuningshaft to provide a driving connection between said shafts at all axialsettings of said second shaft, whereby said tuning shaft may be operatedto different settings within said tuning range in response to rotationof said second shaft, and means controlled by axial movement of saidsecond shaft for releasably locking said selector elements againstmovement relative to said tuning shaft.

5. In radiov tuning apparatus which includes a tuning shaft rotatablethrough a desired tuning range and a plurality of tuning selectorelements spaced axially along said shaft; the means for releasablylocking vsaid selector elements against rotation relative to said shaftwhich comprises a compression spring embracing said shaft and normallyexerting a thrust force axially of said shaft against said selectorelements which serves to restrain said selector elements againstrotation relative to said shaft, a pair of opposedv cup-shaped memberssupported for relative movement axially of said shaft and between whichsaid compression spring is confined, actuating parts fixedly carried bysaid members and extending radially from said shaft, and means l formoving atleast one of said actuating parts axially toward the otheractuating part, thereby shaped members supported for relative move.

ment axially of said shaft and between which said compression spring isconfined, a stop element anchored to said shaft and projecting radiallyoutward therefrom to act as a stop against which one of said cup-shapedmembers bears, a driving gear carried by said shaft, means includingsaid stop element for restraining said gear against rotation relative tosaid shaft, and means for moving said cup-shaped members axially towardeach other, thereby to compress said spring and thus release saidselector elements for rotation relative to `said shaft.

assegna '7. In radio tuning apparatus which includes a tuning shaftrotatable through a desired tuning range and a plurality of tuningselector elements spaced axially along said shaft; the means forreleasablylocking said selector elements against rotation relative tosaid shaft which comprises a compression spring embracing said shaft andnormally exerting a thrust force axially of said shaft against saidselector elements which serves to restrain said selector elementsagainst rotation relative to said shaft, a pair of opposed cupshapedmembers supported for relative movement axially of said shaft andtelescoped one,

within the other, said spring being housed within said members andhaving its ends tensioned against thebottoms of said members, said shafthaving an annular seat adjacent the bottom wall of the cup-shaped memberfarthest removed from said selector elements, a C-washer disposed insaid seat to act as a stop against which the bottom wall of saidlast-named cupshaped member bears, a driving gear carried by said shaft,means for clamping said gear against said c-washer. thereby to restrainsaid gear against rotation relative to said shaft, said cupshapedmembers having flanges extending radially outward from said shaft andspaced axially along said shaft, and means for moving said flanges`toward each other, thereby to compress said spring within saidcup-shaped members and thus release said selector elements for rotationrelative to said shaft.

8. In a control device which includes a plurality of control elementscarried by a rotatable shaft; the means for releasably locking saidcontrol elements against rotation relative to said shaft which comprisesa compression spring embracing said shaft and normally exerting a thrustforce axially of said shaft against said control elements which servesto restrain said control elements against rotation relative to saidshaft,

a pair of opposed cup-shaped members supported for relative movementaxially of said shaft and between which said compression spring isconfined, said members including flanges extending radially outward fromsaid shaft, a lever mechanism including levers extending transversely ofsaid shaft and provided with parts engageable with said flanges to movesaid cup-shaped members toward each other and thus compress said springto relieve the thrust force exerted upon said control elements when saidlevers are moved relative to each other, and means for producingrelative movement between said levers, thereby to release said selectorelements `for rotation relative to said shaft.

9. In a control device which includes a plurality of control elementscarried by a rotatable shaft; the means for releasably locking saidcontrol elements against rotation relative to said shaft which comprisesa compression spring embracing said shaft and normally exerting athrust' force axially of said shaft against said control elements whichserves to restrain said control elements against rotation relative tosaid shaft, a pair of opposed cup-shaped members supported for relativemovement axially of said shaft and between which said compression springis confined, said members including flanges extending radially outwardfrom said shaft, a lever mechanism including levers extendingtransversely of said shaft and provided with parts engageable with saidflanges to move said cup-shaped members toward each other and thuscompress said spring to relieve the thrust force exerted upon saidcontrol elements when said levers are moved relative to each other, asecond shaft, means supporting said second shaft for rotary and axialmovement, means providing a driving connection between said shafts atall axial settings of said second shaft, and cam means includinginterengaging parts respectively carried by said second shaft and saidlevers for producing relative movement between said levers in responseto axial movement of said second shaft, thereby to release said. controlelements for rotation relative to said first-named shaft.

10. In a control device which includes a plurality of control elementscarried by a rotatable shaft; the means for releasably holding saidcontrol elements against rotation relative to said shaft which comprisesa pair of elongated members extending transversely of said shaft, meanspivotally supporting said members to one side of said shaft, means formoving said members relative to each other in a direction extendingaxially of said shaft, and means controlled by said members for normallyclamping said control elements against rotation relative to said shaftand for rel-asing said elements for rotation relative to said shaft inresponse to said relative movement between said members.

11. In a control device which includes a plurality of control elementscarried by a rotatable shaft; the means for releasably holding saidcontrol elements against rotation relative to said shaftwhich comprisesa lever mechanism provided with levers extending transversely of saidshaft, means' for moving said levers relative to eachother in adirection extending axially of said shaft, and means controlled by saidrelative movement between said levers for releasably restraining saidcontrol elements against rotation relative to said shaft.

l2. In a control device which includes a plurality of control elementscarried by a rotatable shaft, the means for releasably holding saidcontrol elements against rotation relative to said shaft which comprisesa pair of elongated members extending transversely of said shaft, meanspivotally supporting said members to one side of said shaft, saidmembers having crossed end portions disposed upon the opposite side ofsaid shaft, means coacting with the crossed end portions of said membersfor drawing said members toward each other, and means controlled by saidmembers for normally restraining said control elements against rotationrelative to said shaft and for releasing said elements for rotationrelative to said shaft in response to said movement of said memberstoward each other.

13. In a control device which `includes a plurality of control elementscarried by a rotatable shaft, the means for releasably holding saidcontrol elements against rotation relative to said shaft which comprisesa pair of elongated members extending transversely of said shaft, meanspivotally supporting said members to one side of said shaft, saidmembers having crossed end portions disposed upon the opposite side ofsaid shaft, a second shaft extending substantially at right angles tosaid first-named shaft, means supporting said second shaft for axialmovement away from said first-named shaft, said second shaft and thecrossed .end portions of said members being provided with coactingcamming parts for moving said members toward each otherin response toaxial movement of said second shaft away from said first-named shaft,and means controlled by said members for normally rel Y straining saidcontrol' elements against rotatio relative to said first-named shaft andfor releasing said elements for rotation'relative to said shaft inresponse to said movement of said members toward each other. 14. In a'control vdevice which includes a plu' shaft for axial movement away fromsaid rsty 'named shaft. whereby said levers are moved toward each otherin response to movement ofv said second shaft axially away from saidfirst-named shaft, a compression spring normally thrusting .against'saidcontrol elements to 'restrain said elements against rotation relative to-said firstnamed shaft, and means for squeezing said compression springin response to movement of said levers toward each other, thereby torelease said control elements for rotation relative to said iirst-namedshaft.

15. In a control device which includes a plurality of control elementscarried by a rotatable shaft; levers extending transversely ofsaid'shaft, means pivotally supporting said levers to one side of saidshaft, said levers being provided with crossed end portions upon theoppositeside of said shaft, said end portions including cammingparts'which extend parallel to each other and are away from each otherat their extremities. a second shaft extending substantially at rightangles to said first-named shaft and provided with a spherical cammingpart disposed between said flared camming parts, means supporting saidsecond shaft for axial movement away from said first-named shaft,whereby said spherical camming partis moved between the ared portions offirst-named camming parts onto the parallel compression spring inresponse to movement of saidlevers toward each other, thereby to releasesaid control elements for rotation relative to said first-named shaft,and gear means providing a driving connection between said shaftsregardless of theaxialsetting of said second shaft, the engagement ofsaid spherical camming part with the parallel extending portions of saidfirst-named camming parts when said second shaft iswithdrawn preventinginadvertent axial movement of said second shaft back toward saidfirst-named shaft. Y

16. In a control device which includes a plurality of control elementscarried by a rotatable shaft, a compression spring normally thrustingagainst said control elements to restrain said elements against rotationrelative to said shaft, a second shaft extending transversely of saidfirstnamed shaft, means supporting said second shaft for rotary and'axial movement, means providing a driving connection between saidshafts at all axial settings of said second shaft, a spherical cammingpart carried by the end of said second shaft, a pair of levers extendingtransversely of said first-named shaft and provided with camming partsengaging said spherical camming part,

said camming parts coacting to movesaid levers toward each other inresponse to movement of said second shaft axially away from said firstshaft, and means interconnecting said levers and said spring to biassaid second-named camming parts into engagement with said sphericalcamming part and to compress said spring in response to movement of saidleversl toward each other, thereby to release said control elements forrotation relative to said first-named shaft.

17. In a control device which includes a plurality of control elementscarried by a rotatable control shaft; a second shaft, means supportingsaid second shaft for axial movement away from said control shaft, alever mechanism including a pair of levers extending transversely ofsaid -control shaft, coacting camming means carried spaced axially alongsaid shaft, manuals individ ual to said selector elements andselectively engageable therewith to selectively rotate said shaft todifferent settings, each of said manuals including a pivotally supportedlever and spring means biasing the lever away from its associatedselector clement, an elongated channel-shaped member extendinglongitudinally of said shaft and positioned to act as a stop againstwhich said levers are normally biased, said member having alongitudinally extending guide slot in the bottom wall thereof,translatable indicator means including an element extending through saidslot to guide said indicator means, and means for translating saidindicator means along said channel-shaped member as said shaft'isrotated to tune the receiver.

19. Tuning apparatus for a radio receiver, comprising a rotatable shaftfor actuating the tuning means of the receiver, station selectorelements spaced axially along said shaft, manuals individual to saidselector elements and selectively engageable therewith to selectivelyrotate said shaft to different settings, each of said manuals includinga pivotally supported lever and spring means biasing the lever away fromits associated selector element, an elongated channel-shaped memberextending longitudinally of said shaft and positioned to act as a stopagainst which said levers are normally biased, .said member having alongitudinally extending guide slot in the bottom wall thereof, anelongated camming member disposed beneath said channel-shaped member inalignment' with said groove and provided ,with a helical cammingsurface, means for rotating said camming member as said shaft isrotated, and translatable indicator means including an element extendingthrough said slot and provided with a cam follower slidably engagingsaid camming surface, whereby said indicator means is vtranslated alongsaid channel shaped member prising a rotatable shaft for actuating thetuning means of the receiver, station selector elements spaced axiallyalong said shaft, manuals individual to said selector elements andselectively engageable therewith to selectively rotate said shaft todiiferent settings, each of said manualsincluding a pivotally supportedlever and spring means biasing the lever away from its associatedselector element, an elongated channel-shaped member extendinglongitudinally of said shaft and positioned to act as a stop againstwhich said levers are normally biased, said member having alongitudinally extending guide slot in the bottom wall thereof, anelongated tubular camming member disposed beneath said channel-shapedmember in alignment with said slot and comprising an edgewound striphaving its edges displaced to define a helical camming groove, anelongated traveling element disposed within said camming member andslidably movable longitudinally of said camming member, translatableindicator means including a wire-like element extending through saidslot and groove and anchored to said traveling element, whereby saidindicator means is at least in part supported by said camming member andis translated along said slot when said camming member is rotated, meanssupporting said camming member for rotation, and means providing a.driving connection between said shaft and said camming member.

21. In a control device which includes a plurality of adjustablecontrol-position-selector elements carried by a rotatable shaft; thecombination of mechanism for releasably restraining 18 said selectorelements against movement relative to said control shaft includingyieldable means on said shaft adapted to be operatively connected withsaid selector elements, va movable unit, means mounting said unit in aposition at right angles to said control shaft and mounted both forrotation and for longitudinal movement of said unit, a lever mechanismcomprising a pair of pivoted elements movable toward and away from oneanother and operatively connected with said yieldable means, cam meansoperatively connecting said movable unit and said lever mechanism andmovable upon one'direction of longitudinal movement of said unit tooperate the lever mechanism and compress the yieldable means and movableupon the other direction of longitudinal movement of said unit to permitthe expansion thereof, and means maintained in an operative connectionbetween said movable unit and said control shaft to rotate said controlshaft upon rotary movement of saidvmovable unit.

ANTHONY P. OLESKY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the ille ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name 'Date 516,214 Mohr et al. Mar. 13,1894 1,168,080 Kelly Jan. 11, 1916 2,320,893 Schwarz et al. June l, 19432,330,833 Harholz et al. Oct. 5, 1943

